It was all my fault. I feel so remorseful. Incredibly sad. Midst that battering feeling, I embrace the crying Vicky to my chest. His eyes and cheeks are almost pink. His lips are swollen. His body is exhausted as he continues weeping. My heart stings for him. He is on the verge of falling unconscious. No, I can't see him in such a state.

"Vicky, look at me" I lift his head to my face by palming his cheeks. He stares at me, numb. "Please don't cry, Vicky. I will be beside you always. I will take care of you. You will be safe with me." He blinks his weary eyes, his countenance still giving off gloominess.

"Vicky...I promise." I place my palm over my head, ensuring him of my decision. He slowly raises his pinky finger and I didn't waste much time before entwining mine with him.

"Pinky promise..." I say and he hugs me, tighter. "Thikki, I know dead means, they are going to god, but won't they ever come back to see me?" He asks in my hold. The inside of my stomach quivers at his question. How would I tell him that he will never be able to look at them in person, would his delicate heart stand that news?

"I..." I don't know what to reply. "But Thikki, I trust them. They will come one day. I will wait." I pull him away from the hug and plop a kiss on his forehead, loaded with pure affection.

"Sleep Vicky, I'm here, right beside you" I lay him on the bed from his sitting position and cover his body using the blanket. "Thikki, you also lay down," he says quietly, and I oblige to his words.

Soon as I do so, Vicky wraps his arms around my waist and keeps his head on my shoulder. I can feel him relaxing. I pat his hair lovingly. "Sorry..." I whisper inaudibly to Vicky, thinking about everything that had happened over the past few days.

I was in eighth standard and Vicky was in first standard. During the earlier period after our school has reopened, the lawsuit of that rowdy that was being handled by advocate aunt and uncle became heated...

Everyone was talking about them and cursing that rowdy. I was really pleased thinking of the certainty that eventually the truth and justice are going to be bestowed.

And last week, Friday, the final judgment was declared which stated that rowdy's imprisonment for more than ten years. His gang members were also given necessary punishment for their offenses.

Everyone was sending congratulatory messages to advocate aunt and uncle for their victory. I did too. But they told me If not for me who delivered that rowdy's cruel actions to them, they wouldn't even have known about it. They appreciated me for informing them. They were delighted as they got to dispose of the unjust in the society.

It was all going well until today, evening.....

It was as usual. After the school hours got over, I walked Vicky to his home, and then when he was done freshening up, I took him to my house forcefully even though he was adamant. He wanted to play video games rather than study. But neither the advocate aunt nor uncle was supportive of it. So they had no issue in sending him off with me.

In my home, I tutored the bored Vicky for almost one hour and paused as soon as I heard the landline phone in our living room ringing loud.

It was advocate aunt. Her voice was low as she spoke. "Take care of Vicky.." It was the only thing she had said before the call went dead. I was perplexed.

Only If I had known that she was in a battle to make her soul loiter...I would have done something. Called the police or would have informed my parents about it.

Unfortunately, I didn't have the slightest clue of her life being at stake when heeding her final words to me.

I ignored her sudden call and continued to teach Vicky. But after a few instants, the terror dawned over me. There had been sirens noise, belonging from both ambulance and police vehicles. People had bundled over to Vicky's home, the garish sounds of their chatting had made me so worried.

I had rung my mom and dad at the commotion that was happening outside. They were quick to reply and told me they would come as earlier as possible. Still, I was scared. I reckoned that some accident had happened there. But I'm not sure. As time went by, a few police officers came into our house and asked for Vicky.

Vicky was disturbed as well. The police officers enquired me where my parents were and I had answered him that they were on their way home.

In the meantime, they stayed silent. As soon as my parents had attained home, everything went down. The bitter reality killed me.

They had informed my parents that Vicky's parents had been murdered by some gang members. They were also allies of the rowdy guy against whom Advocate uncle and aunt had won the case.

I couldn't believe my ears. I cried. Vicky's parents meant a lot to me too. It seemed like we were in some kind of movie, I even hoped it to be just a dream...

But it wasn't.

The worse in all of this is, letting my Vicky know about his parent's death. No matter what, I couldn't open up it to him.

I stood crying, while my parents handled the situation. They conveyed the facts to him who looked clueless at first, but then his face went serious, following it, tears began to plop out his eyes...

He cried louder. His tone, the utter pain in his voice flipped my stomach and wounded my heart. I was feeling angry and guilty at myself for his parent's death. In some ways, I was the reason why they had taken this case in the first place. I was indirectly one of the reasons for their death...

I felt devastated. At that moment, I was determined to bring out the last wish of the Advocate aunt into reality. I will take care of Vicky.

Tearing me off from my thoughts, Vicky snuggles closer to me and starts to cry again in his sleep. "Vicky, I'm here" I embrace him, tighter this time. His head stays on my chest and his hands bury themselves on my waist.

I throw one hand around his shoulder and with another, I brush his hair, tenderly. "Thikki...don't leave me" he mumbles, right above my chest. The intensity of emotions in his words makes my heart beneath beat aggressively.

"I won't," I assure him and let ourselves be hugged by sleep.

❤︎❤︎

A month later, the murderer of Vicky's parents had been convicted. I wish he rots in hell!! Also, Vicky's guardian had come to fetch him from our house. But I protested. The guardian was a middle-aged man, advocate aunt's brother. He seemed like a sweet person though.

I had already convinced my parents to let Vicky stay in our house. They were completely okay with it as they loved Vicky as I do.

Now, though legally Vicky's guardian was his uncle, he lives with us. Vicky as well was so displeased when he came to know that he might have to live under his uncle's shelter. But thank god, his uncle was nice and he allowed Vicky to dwell here.

Further, Vicky was getting better day by day. It's been three months ever since his parents had lost their life.

Only in the reason times, does Vicky begins to smile when I crack jokes. My heart shudders every time I see his smile. I don't know, it just appears unique.

......................

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Guys 😍 how are you all??

Missing you sm!!!